Student count stays the same in Orion: 7,895

Enrollment in the Lake Orion School District remains steady at 7,895. On Wednesday, Sept. 24, public school districts across the state conducted official head counts. The counts are used to help determine how much per-pupil money each district receives from the state.
Jillynn Keppler Executive Director of Business Services for Lake Orion schools said, ‘We are actually even – flat. In today’s economy, we are so happy to be even.?
Keppler said this is particularly good news since they projected that they would be down 50 students for the 2008-2009 school year. She said, ‘We like to plan ahead for our students and we are extremely happy the district is financially stable this year and has a fund balance to utilize.?
Board President Bill Walters said the steady numbers are a tribute to the community and staff. ‘We have been able to maintain our student population in spite of what was predicted to be a loss in population growth. We are pleasantly surprised. It’s great having good news in tough times.?
Superintendent Kenneth Gutman said he is equally pleased about the head count. ‘We are very happy. I like to think this speaks highly of our district and community. We can feel fortunate to realize not as many people have lost their jobs which would result in lower numbers,? he said.